Share this on:

DANBURY, CONN. — After an extensive national search, Western Connecticut State University has named Dr. Dan Goble, of Danbury, dean of its School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA). Goble has served as chair of the WCSU department of music since 2005, as associate chair of the department from 1998 to 2004, and as director of the university’s Jazz Studies program from 1994 to 2005.

“I am honored and excited to have been chosen the next dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at WCSU,” Goble said. “My primary goal as the dean will be to execute the collective vision of the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, which from the establishment of the school in 2006, has been to be a place where students throughout the region, and especially residents of Connecticut, can receive an outstanding education in the arts without encumbering the high costs associated with a conservatory. Our faculty members in the departments of art, music, and theater put students first, providing them with an education in the arts that is second to none in the area. The opening of our new state-of-the-art facility in 2014 will further establish WCSU as the university of choice in the arts and arts education. I look forward to leading the School of Visual and Performing Arts at this exciting time.”

Goble, a highly respected saxophone player, mastered his craft with lessons from Roger Greenberg, Thomas Kinser, Harvey Pittel and Albert Regni. He obtained a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. Goble has performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the New York City Opera Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Saxophone Quartet, the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet, the New Haven Symphony and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. He has numerous publications and recordings.

In addition to being an outstanding role model for aspiring musicians, Goble has significant administrative abilities, including the development and management of the department of music budget, curriculum and staff; participation in the department’s accreditation and reaccreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music; as well as enrollment management activities for the department.

Goble succeeds Dr. Carol Hawkes as SVPA dean. Hawkes has served in that role since the creation of the school in 2006.

“After five wonderful years as founding dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, I will retire this June,” Hawkes said. “As dean I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with faculty in music, theatre arts and the visual arts, all gifted artists in their own right, and with talented students dedicated to a future in the arts.”

On the eve of her retirement, Hawkes outlined some of the past accomplishments and future milestones for the school.

“To give the new school a firm foundation, we had two special goals, now close to realization. First, a new facility — a campus center for our programs. The faculty has been active throughout the planning process, impatient for construction to begin. On March 25, 2011, Gov. Malloy authorized the bonding that will permit ground- breaking next fall. Second, national accreditation of all arts programs. Music is already accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and was reaccredited for 10 years in December 2010. Theatre arts and visual arts have received encouraging reports from consultants and are now formal candidates at NAST and NASAD, their respective disciplinary accrediting associations.

“This year we enrolled our first students in a distinctive new degree program in Musical Theatre, continued the development of degree options in Music Production and the Music Business, reached out to the community by sponsoring an exhibition of paintings by prestigious Connecticut artists, and in more ways than I can count continued the instruction, performance, creativity and service that have characterized our school,” Hawkes continued. “I am proud of all that our students and faculty have achieved in five years, and I look forward to the new creative energy that I know will come with the appointment of Dr. Dan Goble as the new dean.”

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.